Environ Monit Assess (2014) 186:239–245
DOI 10.1007/s10661-013-3369-y
Mineral contents of seed and seed oils of Capparis species
growing wild in Turkey
Erman Duman & Mehmet Musa Özcan
Received: 30 April 2013 / Accepted: 24 July 2013 / Published online: 8 August 2013
# European Union 2013
Abstract The mineral contents of seed and seed oils
of Capparis species growing wild in Turkey were
established by inductively coupled plasma–atomic
emission spectrometry. Capparis spinosa var. spinosa
(2010) and Capparis ovata var. canescens variety
(2009) were determined to be rich in terms of mineral
matter as 19,514.60 and 16,995.92 ppm as a total,
respectively. C. spinosa var. spinosa collected from
Muğla-Milas region (2009) had the highest amount of
Ca with 1,010.67 ppm in C. spinosa species and in C.
ovata species. C. ovata var. canescens collected from
Ankara-Beypazarı (2010) region had the highest amount
of Ca with 833.92 ppm Ca amount in C. spinosa var.
spinosa, inermis, herbaceae seeds decreased in 2010. C.
spinosa var. inermis collected from Antalya-Serik (2010)
in C. spinosa species had rich amount of Ca with
123.78 ppm and C. ovata var. palaestina seed oils col-
lected from Mardin-Savur region (2009) had rich amount
of Ca with 253.71 ppm in C. ovata species. The oil of C.
spinosa var. herbaceae variety collected from Mardin-
Midyat region (2010) was determined to have the highest
major mineral matter (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P) with
1,424.37 ppm in C. spinosa species. It was also determined
E. Duman
Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
University of Afyon Kocatepe Üniversity,
Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
M. M. Özcan (*)
Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Selcuk,
42031 Konya, Turkey
e-mail: mozcan@selcuk.edu.tr
that as a result, caper seed and oils were found to be im-
portant sources of nutrients and essential elements.
Keywords C. ovata Desf. var. canescens . Caper parts .
Minerals . Heavy metal . ICP–AES
Introduction
Caper is a plant with medicinal and aromatic proper-
ties. It is a long-lasting shruby plant that belongs to the
Capparaceae family; capers occur in various types (more
than 350) and grow naturally in all the continents in many
different regions of the world (Rodrigo et al. 1992; Özcan
1996; Özcan 2005). It is a tropical/subtropical plant
(Rodrigo et al. 1992; Akgül and Özcan 1999). The caper
plant, which is called bubu, gebre, gabar, gevil, kapari,
keper, kebere, turşuotu, and sebellah in different parts of
Turkey, is an economically valuable plant. In various
regions of the world, different organs of caper species
have been profitable for several purposes since ancient
times. Young shoots, flower buds, and fruit are used for
human nutrition. Capers have very important roles in the
food industry; the flower buds are stored in brine and
have become a costly product during recent years
(Alvarruiz et al. 1990; Özcan 1996). Caper is a perennial
shrub of the Mediterranean Basin (Tlili et al. 2010). An
increasing body of evidence on the association between
adherence to the Mediterranean diet and health status is
being accumulated. Floral buds of Capparis spinosa L
are commonly used in the Mediterranean cuisine as
flavoring for meat and other foods (Tesoriere et al.
2007). Different organs of caper species are used for
nutrition: young shoot, flower bud, fruit, and seed. At
240
the same time, flower buds called capers are appreciated
as delicatessen. The composition of capers and especially
C. spinosa has been widely evaluated showing that
palmitic, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and sterols are the
major components. In addition, rutin and kaempferol-3-
rutinoside are the most abundant flavonol glucosides
(Akgül and Özcan, 1999; Inocencio et al. 2000; Giuffrida
et al. 2002; Tlili et al. 2010). Micronutrients such as Na,
K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn are essential nutrients in
human body growth. Also, elements such as Cd, Pb, and
Cu could have detrimental effects on health. There is
currently considerable interest in the determination of
minerals in foods (Macrae et al.1993). Research
concerned with the mineral content of several parts
of both Capparis ovata Desf. var. canescens. The aim
of the current study was to determine the major and
minor element contents in caper seed and seed oil
harvested from different species and locations wild
growing in Turkey.
Material and methods
Material
Research was performed with six different sample
groups (C. spinosa var. spinosa, C. spinosa var. aegyptia,
C. spinosa var. inermis, C. spinosa var. herbaceae, C.
ovata var. canescens, C. ovata var. palaestina) on six
different locations (Muğla-Milas, Antalya-Kepez,
Antalya-Serik, Mardin-Midyat, Ankara-Beypazarı,
Mardin-Savur) by harvesting in two different years
(2009–2010), and analyses were evaluated in each fre-
quency as three parallels. Thus, each parameter was
analyzed according to factorial desue model in the form
of 6×6×2×3=216. Caperberry skins and pulps were re-
moved from seeds. After they were dried, seeds were
transported to the laboratory. They were cleaned in an air
screen cleaner to remove all foreign matter such as dust,
dirt and chaff, and immature and broken seeds were
discarded as well, and then stored in polypropylene bags
at room temperature.
Determination of mineral contents
Collected samples were dried at 70 °C in a drying
cabinet with air circulation until they reached constant
weight. Later, about 0.5 g dried and ground sample was
digested by using 5 ml of 65 % HNO3 and 2 ml of 35 %
Environ Monit Assess (2014) 186:239–245
H2O2 in a closed microwave system (Cem MARS
Xpress). The volumes of the digested samples were
completed to 20 ml with ultra-deionized water, and
mineral concentrations were determined inductively by
coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP–
AES, Varian-Vista, Australia). Measurements of mineral
concentrations were checked using the certified values
of the related minerals in the reference samples received
from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(Gaithersburg, MD, USA) (Skujins 1998).
Working conditions of ICP–AES:
Instrument: ICP–AES (Varian-Vista)
RF Power: 0.7–1.5 kw (1.2–1.3 kw for Axial)
Plasma gas flow rate (Ar): 10.5–15 L/min (radial)
15′′ (axial)
Auxiliary gas flow rate (Ar): 1.5′′
Viewing height: 5–12 mm
Copy and reading time: 1–5 s (maximum 60 s)
Copy time: 3 s (maximum 100 s)
Statistical analyses
Three replication in each repetition was carried out on
six different sample groups (C. spinosa var. spinosa, C.
spinosa var. aegyptia, C. spinosa var. inermis, C.
spinosa var. herbaceae, C. ovata var. canescens, C.
ovata var. palaestina) in six different regions (Muğla-
Milas, Antalya-Kepez, Antalya-Serik, Mardin-Midyat,
Ankara-Beypazarı, and Mardin-Savur) by harvesting in
two different years (2009–2010) and conducted as three
parallels in each repetition. Thus, each parameter was
arranged according to factorial desue model as 6×6×
2×3=216 each collected location shown in table ex-
presses different varieties. In the result of the research,
the acquired data were subjected to analysis of variance
according to desue pattern. Analysis of variance was
performed by using the package program called SPSS
170 for Windows. ANOVA was used for the variance
analysis of the research's results and Duncas multiple
comparison test was used in determination of impor-
tance between averages.
Results and discussion
It was determined that 26 numbers of mineral matters
in different amounts were in C. spinosa and C. ovata
species. The highest amount of mineral found in C.
Environ Monit Assess (2014) 186:239–245
spinosa and C. ovata species was determined to be
sulfur, and the lowest amount of mineral matter
found in C. spinosa and C. ovata was Cd. It was
determined that both of the C. spinosa and C. ovata
species were found to be rich in Ca, K, Mg, Na, and
P. Amounts of Ca, B, Cr, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, P, S, and
Zn in C. spinosa seeds were found to be higher than
C. ovata species. Especially Cd, Se amounts of C.
ovata seeds were determined to be higher than C.
spinosa species. C. spinosa var. spinosa (2010) va-
riety in C. spinosa species and C. ovata var.
canescens variety (2009) in C. ovata species were
determined to be rich in terms of mineral matter as
19,514.6 and 16,995.92 ppm as total, respectively.
C. spinosa var. spinosa collected from Muğla-Milas
region (2009) had the highest amount of Ca with
1,010.67 ppm in C. spinosa species and in C. ovata
species C. ovata var. canescens collected from
Ankara-Beypazarı (2010) region had the highest
amount of Ca with 833.92 ppm Ca amount in C.
spinosa var. spinosa, inermis, herbaceae seeds de-
creased in 2010, and Ca amount in C. aegyptia seeds
increased. The highest amount of mineral matter
was sulfur in C. spinosa and C. ovata seeds. It was
determined that C. spinosa var. herbaceae (2009)
variety collected from Mardin-Midyat region had
the highest sulfur components 6,654.58 ppm in C.
spinosa species. It was also stated that in C. ovata
species C. ovata var. palaestina variety (2009 har-
vest year) collected from Mardin-Savur region had
the highest amount of sulfur component with
5,363.55 ppm S amount in C. spinosa var. spinosa,
inermis, aegyptia seeds increased in 2010 harvest
year, S amount in C. herbaceae seeds decreased in
C. ovata species, S amount of C. ovata var.
canescens variety increased in 2010, and S amount
of C. ovata var. palaestina seeds decreased.
Effects of sample group and harvest year interaction
with variety and location on total of minor mineral
contents of caper seeds collected from different loca-
tions are seen to be statistically important (p<0.01)
(Table 1). It was determined that in C. spinosa spe-
cies, C. spinosa var. herbaceae variety collected from
Mardin-Midyat region (2009) had the highest minor
mineral matter amounts with 6,795.03 ppm and in
C. ovata species C. ovata var. palaestina variety
collected from Mardin-Savur (2009) location had
the highest total of minor mineral matter with
5,515.9 ppm.
241
In 2010, amount of minor mineral matter in-
creased in C. spinosa var. canescens varieties of
C. ovata and amount of minor mineral matter
decreased in C. spinosa var. palaestina seeds. Al-
so, amount of minor mineral matter in caper seeds
change according to years beside variety and loca-
tion interaction. It was stated that the highest ma-
jor mineral matter amount (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P)
was found in C. spinosa var. spinosa species col-
lected from Muğla-Milas region (2010) as
12,776.03 ppm, and the highest major mineral
matter amount was found in C. ovata var. palaes-
tina of C. ovata species collected from Mardin-
Savur (2009) as 11,328.07 ppm.
In 2010, amount of major mineral matter increased
in all varieties of C. spinosa species. Amount of major
mineral matter decreased in C. ovata species in 2010.
In a study carried out to determine the mineral content
of caper's different parts, it was stated that the highest
K, Na, Ca, and Zn values were found in flower buds
(Özcan, 2005). In received values, it was seen that rates
of Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Fe were high in seeds of
both species. As seeds and buds of caper plants are rich
in these minerals, it is a good source in filling the
deficiency of these minerals. In a pre-study carried
out by Özcan and Akgül (1995), it was stated that
averagely 1,140 ppm Na, 5,125 ppm K, 245 ppm P,
79 ppm Fe, 84 ppm Zn, 740 ppm Mn, and 24 ppm Cu
were found in seeds of C. spinosa L.var. spinosa and C.
ovata Desf. var. canescens (Coss.) Heywood cultivated
in Turkey. It was seen that species and sizes affected
these values. Average values we determined are
3,969.58 ppm Na, 3,742.47 ppm K, 64.06 ppm Fe,
46.97 ppm Zn, 14.27 ppm Mn, and 10.83 ppm Cu in
s e e ds of C . s p i n o s a an d C . o v a t a s pe c i es .
Haciseferoğulları et al. (2011) determined the mineral
matters in C. spinosa and C. ovata as 738.4±7.3–827.5
±12.1 Ca, 0.7±01–1.7±0.1 Cu, 63.4±2.3–44.8±1.3 Fe,
2.421.3±19.4–3.836.2±27.8 K, 4.812.1±24.2–4.018.1
±17.2 Mg, 74.3±1.9–57.2±1.4 Na, 4.217.8±23.1–
3.561.6±29.1 P, 32.4±2.3–23.6± Zn. In our study car-
ried out on seeds of C. spinosa and C. ovata, it was
determined that mineral matter results were 884.73–
710.11 Ca, 11.86–8.76 Cu, 65.02–62.14 Fe, 3,743.82–
3,739.16 K, 2,059.61–1,916.58 Mg, 647.88–689.0 Na,
4,476.38–4,198,050 P, 48.05–44.80 Zn (ppm). Values
of Cu, K, Na, P, and Zn were higher than the results of
Haciseferoğulları et al. (2011), values of Ca and Fe
were parallel while Mg value was lower. This
242 Environ Monit Assess (2014) 186:239–245

Table 1 Mineral contents of several caper seeds (mg/kg); dry matter

Varieties Harvest year

Mo Ca B Cd Cr Cu Fe K Mg Mn
C. spinosa var. spinosa 2009 0.46 1.010.67 17.79 0.46 0.43 8.98 50.54 4.036.91 2.066.01 14.69
2010 1.05 953.66 18.57 0.09 0.44 8.64 40.77 4.034.34 2.240.61 17.01
C. spinosa var. aegyptia 2009 0.89 779.25 13.34 0.09 0.16 9.98 68.15 3.544.26 2.032.85 15.32
2010 0.84 982.18 13.679 0.05 0.29 9.96 62.96 3.596.74 1.930.52 15.42
C. spinosa var. inermis 2009 0.51 782.22 11.01 0.13 0.39 10.07 88.18 3.418.26 1.972.33 14.04
2010 0.60 876.30 11.04 0.11 0.36 27.23 101.09 3.724.57 1.996.93 13.17
C. spinosa var. herbaceae 2009 0.80 820.36 20.14 0.09 0.31 691 48.39 3.717.14 2.131.39 14.88
2010 1.09 873.21 14.88 0.11 0.37 13.16 60.10 3.878.39 2.106.29 15.36
C. ovata var. canescens 2009 0.75 780.55 14.32 0.05 0.31 9.49 58.34 3.712.80 1.930.74 13.05
2010 1.02 833.92 14.44 0.07 0.32 9.08 62.14 3.357.19 1.930.95 12.65
C. ovata var. palaestina 2009 1.08 622.31 9.75 0.36 0.27 8.48 62.94 4.014.44 1.940.86 13.31
2010 0.77 603.66 8.27 0.26 0.28 8.01 65.15 3.872.21 1.863.79 12.40
Na Ni P S Se Zn Total
C. spinosa var. spinosa 2009 669.66 3,77 4.503.22 6.265.63 0 43.22 18.692.52
2010 685.84 2.27 4.861.56 6.601.21 0.21 48.25 19.514.60
C. spinosa var. aegyptia 2009 599.41 3.77 4.089.07 6.131.06 0 50.49 17.336.44
2010 705.58 2.71 3.878.10 6.208.20 0.01 50.68 17.457.98
C. spinosa var. inermis 2009 561.56 6.46 4.295.79 5.652.03 1.51 41.03 16.855.59
2010 554.61 5.64 4.644.22 5.693.98 1.18 55.33 17.706.44
C. spinosa var. herbaceae 2009 597.76 2.91 4.783.43 6.654.58 1.53 44.43 18.845.12
2010 808.68 7.08 4.755.70 6.071.67 0 51.03 18.657.19
C. ovata var. canescens 2009 740.76 1.56 4.503.04 5.189.99 0.24 39.86 16.995.92
2010 686.69 1.59 4.405.41 5.291.42 1.59 41.46 16.650.03
C. ovata var. palaestina 2009 666.06 2.95 4.084.39 5.363.55 0.78 52.36 16.843.97
2010 662.52 2.33 3.801.18 4.877.80 0.68 45.54 15.824.92

condition can probably be resulted due to geographical
distribution, chemical content related to differences in
varieties, and differences in soil and climate conditions
(Lavedrine et al. 1997). Consequently, studies carried
out by us, Özcan and Akgül (1995), Özcan (2005), and
Haciseferoğulları et al. (2011) show that caper seeds
are rich source in terms of mineral matter in pharma-
ceutical, industrial, and nutritional sense.
Mineral contents of seed oils belonging to caper
varieties collected from different locations were given
in Table 2. It was determined that the highest amount of
mineral were phosphor and sulfur, and the lowest
amount of mineral was Cd found in C. spinosa and
C. ovata seed oils. It was stated that C. spinosa and C.
ovata seed oils had rich amounts of Ca, K, Mg, Na, and
P minerals. B, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, S, and Zn
amounts in C. spinosa seed oils were found to be
higher than C. ovata seed oils. Ca, Mo, Cd, Na, and
Se amounts in C. ovata seed oils were found to be
higher than C. spinosa species. It was determined that
C. spinosa var. spinosa (2010) in C. spinosa species
with 2,079.99 ppm and C. ovata var. palaestina (2009)
in C. ovata species with 2,329.60 ppm had rich amount
of mineral as caper seed oils (Table 2).
One of the highest amounts of minerals found in C.
spinosa and C. ovata species seed oils was determined
to sulfur. In C. spinosa species, the highest sulfur com-
ponent with 640.67 ppm was found in C. spinosa var.
spinosa (2010) collected from Muğla-Milas region. In
C. ovata species, the highest sulfur component with
711.94 ppm was found in C. ovata palaestina collected
from Mardin-Savur region. In 2010, amount of S in-
creased in C. spinosa var. spinosa, herbaceae seed oils.
Amount of S decreased in C. inermis seed oils. Amount
Environ Monit Assess (2014) 186:239–245 243

Table 2 Mineral contents of several caper seed oils (mg/kg); dry matter

Varieties Harvest year

Mo Ca B Cd Cr Cu Fe K Mg Mn
C. spinosa var. spinosa 2009 0.18 94.23 0 0.03 0.19 2.09 21.60 47.04 62.77 0.06
2010 0.19 118.82 0.17 0 0.27 2.30 27.03 80.99 55.89 0
C. spinosa var. aegyptia 2009 0.14 67.82 0 0.05 0.26 2.32 26.16 27.38 37.51 0
2010 0 74.98 0.36 0.01 0.23 1.97 20.67 50.27 38.85 0
C. spinosa var.inermis 2009 0 100.63 0 0.02 0.17 2.33 22.00 78.60 51.39 0.04
2010 0 123.78 0 0.03 0.20 2.43 22.71 31.10 62.56 0
C. spinosa var. herbaceae 2009 0 109.14 0.59 0.01 0.17 2.05 22.19 21.50 59.78 0
2010 0 109.85 0.25 0.03 0.15 2.21 20.53 57.62 60.63 0.17
C. ovata var. canescens 2009 0 76.55 0 0.02 0.15 2.35 20.05 36.53 55.71 0
2010 0 106.41 0 0 0.15 1.58 15.15 35.02 55.44 0.08
C. ovata var. palaestina 2009 0.09 253.71 1.39 0.02 0.31 1.84 21.65 109.42 77.50 0.05
2010 0 242.33 0.13 0 0.20 1.80 18.41 104.02 74.33 0.02
Na Ni P S Se Zn Total
C. spinosa var. spinosa 2009 365.49 0.29 788.72 581.60 0 7.04 1.971.38
2010 379.70 0 801.47 610.67 0 2.44 2.079.99
C. spinosa var. aegyptia 2009 382.40 0.42 751.23 603.12 2.38 2.03 1.903.27
2010 417.49 0.18 773.27 603.08 1,33 2.17 1.984.90
C. spinosa var. inermis 2009 419.62 0.16 883.92 534.54 0 2.13 2.095.63
2010 376.71 0.43 751.09 533.93 0 2.47 1.907.48
C. spinosa var. herbaceae 2009 351.53 0.30 735.59 528.13 0 2.02 1.833.08
2010 367.50 0.37 828.42 530.02 0.27 2.68 1.980.76
C. ovata var. canescens 2009 391.26 0 811.65 581.30 0 10.29 1.985.897
2010 358.30 0.36 775.38 527.75 1.02 3.10 1.879.80
C. ovata var. palaestina 2009 392.79 0.20 903.04 711.94 1.07 10.30 2.485.41
2010 379.96 0.08 880.80 617.44 0 10.02 2.329.60

of S remained same in seed oils belonging to C. aegyptia
and herbaceae. In 2010, amount of S decreased in C.
ovata var. canescens and palaestina of C. ovata species.
It shows that mineral matter content can change
according to years in seed oils. C. spinosa var. inermis
collected from Antalya-Serik (2010) in C. spinosa spe-
cies had rich amount of Ca with 123.78 ppm, and C.
ovata var. palaestina seed oils collected from Mardin-
Savur region (2009) had rich amount of Ca with
253.71 ppm in C. ovata species. It was determined that
C. spinosa var. spinosa varieties collected from Muğla-
Milas (2010) region had the highest minor mineral
matter with 643.11 ppm in C. spinosa species, and C.
ovata var. palaestina varieties collected from Mardin-
Savur (2009) region had the highest minor mineral
matter in C. ovata species with 748.91 ppm. Minor
mineral matter amounts in C. spinosa var. spinosa,
inermis, herbaceae varieties increased in 2010 and mi-
nor mineral matter amounts decreased in C. spinosa var.
aegyptia in 2010. In C. ovata species, minor mineral
matter amounts of canescens and palaestina varieties
decreased in 2010. C. spinosa var. herbaceae variety
collected from Mardin-Midyat region (2010) was deter-
mined to have the highest major mineral (Ca, K, Mg,
Na, and P) with 1,424.37 ppm in C. spinosa species. It
was also determined that C. ovata var. palaestina variety
collected from Mardin-Savur region (2010) had the
highest major mineral matter with 1,681.46 ppm in C.
ovata species.
In oils of all C. spinosa species, major mineral matter
amount increased in 2010. In C. ovata species, major
mineral matter content decreased in 2010. In a study
carried out to determine the mineral content of capers'
different parts, it was found that flower buds had the
244
highest K, Na, Ca, and Zn values (Özcan 2005). In our
results, it was determined that seeds of both two species
had high amount of Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Fe. As
seeds and buds of caper plants have rich amount of
minerals, it is a good source in filling the deficiency of
this minerals. In a pre-study carried out by Özcan and
Akgül (1995), in average, 1,140 ppm Na, 5,125 ppm K,
245 ppm P, 79 ppm Fe, 84 ppm Zn, 740 ppm Mn, and
24 ppm Cu were determined in buds of C. spinosa L.var.
spinosa and C. ovata Desf. var. canescens varieties
cultivated in Turkey. Varieties and sizes were seen to
affect these values; average values determined by us in
C. spinosa and C. ovata seeds are 381.56 ppm Na,
52.62 ppm K, 21.51 ppm Fe, 4.72 ppm Zn, 0.07 ppm
Mn, and 2.10 ppm Cu. Our results and the results found
by Özcan and Akgül (1995) show that buds contain more
mineral matter than seed oils. According to our results
and results determined by Özcan and Akgül (1995) and
Haciseferoğulları et al. (2011), the highest mineral matter
was found in caper buds later respectively found in seeds
and seeds oils. Also, when we compare the caper oil and
nut oil which is useful for human health, it is seen that
nut oil has respectively in average 5.8–19 mg Fe, 5.3–
50 mg K, 1.3–2 mg Cu, 160–140 mg Ca, 2.2–3 mg Zn,
and 16.2– 50 mg Mg (Swern, 1982). According to these
results, it can be seen that caper seed oil is just as useful
as nut oil in terms of human health as caper oil has useful
minerals. These differences of the mineral content of
caper parts may be due to growth conditions, varieties,
genetic factors, harvesting times, soil properties, geo-
graphical variations, and analytical procedures (Guil
et al. 1998; Özcan et al. 2008).
Conclusion
As a results, it was determined that caper seeds and seed
oils had rich amounts of Ca, K, Mg, Na, and S minerals
but caper seeds involved more mineral matter than oils. As
the caper seeds and oils have rich mineral matter, it is
advised that caper seeds and oils can be consumed in
terms of development of bones and teeth, nutrition, and
working systematically of nervous system and muscles.
The Ca, Fe, K, Mg, P, and Zn levels are adequate. Calcium
is the major component of bone and assists in teeth
development (Brody 1994). The essential role of selenium
for human health has been well established in recent years
(Foster et al. 1998). Selenium has an active role as a
modulator in inflammatory and immune responses (Neve
Environ Monit Assess (2014) 186:239–245
1991). Caper organs such as buds, fruit, and young shoots
were found to be important sources of nutrients and
essential elements. In addition, it is apparent that caper
parts are good sources of the macro and micro minerals
and consumed as a food ingredient to provide the human
nutrition.
Acknowledgments This work was supported by Selçuk Uni-
versity Scientific Research Project (S.U.-BAP. Konya-Turkey).
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